Category: Soldiers

Between 1914 and 1919, over 650,000 Canadians served at home and overseas during the Great War. On the Western Front in Belgium and France, Canadian soldiers of the Great War distinguished themselves in numerous battles, including Second Battle of Ypres, Battle of Vimy Ridge, and Second Battle of Passchendaele. In Canada’s Last Hundred Days of the Great War, Canadian soldiers at the sharp end of the spear breaking through the enemy’s formidable trench defences, the Hindenburg Line. Their efforts have inspired these soldier stories.

Collections

Many collections used to bring the soldier stories to life. First, and foremost, the Personnel Records of the soldiers serving in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF). This collection, like the others to follow, digitized and made available by Library and Archives Canada (LAC). Secondly, the War Diaries of the CEF often provide vital information about a soldier’s life not contained in their service file. Finally, Circumstances of Death (CoD), War Graves Registers (GRRF), and Veterans Death Cards provide further information on The Fallen. These three collections in conjunction with records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) vital to cases of identification and recovery of The Missing.

Courts Martial Records (FGCM)

Additional collections used to present the soldier stories include Courts Martial Records. Courts martial had the authority to try a wide range of military offences that resembled civilian crimes like fraud, theft or perjury. Others, like desertion and cowardice – purely military crimes. Records of individual courts martial consist of an average of 20 to 25 documents, mainly standardized forms. These document the trial and the charges under the Army Act.

MIKAN photo collection

Finally, the most powerful way of bringing soldier stories of the Great War to life, the images of the MIKAN collection digitized by LAC. Often complementing these photos – images held by the Imperial War Museum (IWM), some of which also contain images captured by the Official Canadian War Photographers (CWRO) during the Great War. Both LAC and IWM have film collections which further bring the reality of the soldier stories of the Great War to life.

Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson in the Great War

Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson 437936, Mentioned in Douglas Haig’s Despatches, served with the 1st Battalion. More than sixty Danish men of the CEF gave their lives during the Great War. Son of Kristine Anderson (nee Wellew), of Amaliegade, 15, Aathus, Derunark. Born 29 October 1892, a farm labourer.

Enlistment of Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson

Enlistment of Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson enlisted 15 November 1915 in Edmonton, Alberta in the 51st Battalion. On the same day, Andrew applied for naturalization at the Supreme Court in Edmonton.

Handing over Colours to 51st Battalion at Westminster Abbey. MIKAN No. 3523072

Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson stood 5′ 7″ tall, 140 pounds with fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. A Presbyterian.

51st Battalion

Organized in January 1915 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R de L Harwood. Mobilized at Edmonton, and also recruited in Edmonton. Sent drafts to England of 250 each in June and September 1915, 50 in December 1915, and also 200 to 46th Battalion. Embarked from Halifax 18 April 1916 aboard MISSANABIE, and later disembarked in England on 28 April 1916 with a strength of 37 officers, 1055 other ranks. 850 transferred to various units in England in June 1916, and also became 51st Casualty Battalion in June 1916. Redesignation as Garrison Duty Battalion on 13 November 1916 and continued as such until its disbandment on 22 June 1917.

R.M.S. MISSANABIE at sail circa 1915.

Pte Anderson embarked Halifax on 18 April 1916aboard RMS MISSANABIE, later disembarking in Liverpool on 28 April 1916. Private Andrew Anderson proceeded overseas 5 May 1916 with the 1st Battalion.

1st Battalion

Organized at Valcartier Camp 2 September 1914, composed of recruits from Medical District 1 (Western Ontario), initially commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F W Hill. Embarked from Quebec 25 September 1914 aboard LAURENTIC, and later disembarked in on England 14 October 1914 with a strength of 45 officers, 1121 other ranks. Arrived in France 11 February 1915 with the 1st Division, 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, and later reinforced by the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion.

Field Sports (1st. Canadian Field Ambulance). Some of the crowd, Photo captured 22 June 1916, Rheninghelst, Belgium. MIKAN No. 3387300

Pte Andrew Anderson admitted No 1 Canadian Field Ambulance, 10 July 1916, Otitis Media (infection located in the middle ear), and later discharged on 18 July 1916.

Battle of Flers-Courcelette

The 1st Battalion avoided heavy casualties with front line officers moving their men to advanced saps and shell holes under intense bombardment at 4:48 pm on 9 September 1916. Later, during the night, the bombardment continued, and the men managed to consolidate positions with the 2nd Battalion.

Only sixteen men of the battalion killed during 9/10 September, with most of them buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Contalmaison.

Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson Mentioned in Despatches ‘A’ List, 4 January 1917, London Gazette No 29890, 24 February 1917. Eight members of the unit recognized for services in the Somme offensive, including Lt Col G C Hodson, Major L H Nelles, Major L W Thomas, Captain W H Scott CAMC, S/Sgt Rushmer 7079, Sergeant W Barnes 401526, and also Corporal N B Levey 401059.

Battle of Arleux Loop (Capture of Fresnoy)

The 1st Battalion attacked and captured trenches to the north of Fresnoy. Total casualties for the tour, 3 officers and also 48 Other Ranks killed, including Captain W F Bradley and Private Andrew Christian Stensig Anderson on 3 May 1917. Andrew’s body not recovered, therefore his name listed on the Vimy Memorial.

Unable to locate Andrew’s mother in 1919, his Scroll sent to the Danish Consul General, 8 Byward St, Gt Tower St, London, England.

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May 3, 2022